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What is TVS Diodes: - Types, Working and Advantages & Disadvantages


TVS Diodes
Transient voltage suppressor diodes, more commonly referred to as TVS diodes are wont to protect integrated circuits (ICs). TVS diodes ensure semiconductors and delicate parts against high transient voltage spikes (overvoltage).
TVS diodes are offered in both through-hole and surface mount bundles. They can be unidirectional or bidirectional. Unidirectional TVS diodes will only allow positive or negative voltage whereas bidirectional diodes can operate at both positive and negative voltages.
TVS diodes are able to conduct large currents to the ground due to their construction. They feature a way larger p-n junction cross-sectional area than standard diodes.

Types of TVS Diode
Transient Voltage Suppressor Diodes can be grouped into two kinds. One is Unidirectional, and the other is Bidirectional.
A unidirectional Transient Voltage Suppressor Diode fills in as a rectifier in a circuit the forward way like some other avalanche diode, and this unidirectional diode is made to withstand very large peak currents.
On the opposite hand, a bidirectional transient-voltage-suppression diode will be represented by two mutually opposing avalanche diodes connected series with each other. Unlike the symbol, these diodes are manufactured as one component.

How to use TVS Diodes
TVS Diodes are connected in parallel with the device or circuit to be protected. The TVS device is specifically designed to breakdown at a particular voltage level and conducts large amounts of current without sustaining damage.
In the normal voltage conditions, TVS diode appears as a circuit, but a little leakage current is present. When the traditional voltage exceed to a particular level, the TVS diode junction avalanches and as the result overvoltage is diverted from the protected circuit and shunted through the TVS diode. The device automatically resets when the overvoltage goes away.

TVS Diode Parameters
There are many types of TVS diode in the market, designed for a specific application. When you are selecting a TVS Diode you can look for the following terminologies in the datasheet to suit your design.
Reverse Stand-Off Voltage (VR): Reverse stand-off voltage is the maximum voltage that can be applied to the protector without actually activating the device. The device VR should be equal to, or higher than the peak operating voltage of the circuit being protected. This is to make sure that the protection device doesn't clip the traditional circuit operating or signal voltage.
Breakdown Voltage (VBR): Breakdown voltage is that the voltage at which the diode will begin to guard and conduct current. Generally, the VBR is specified at 1mA.
Clamping Voltage (VC): Clamping Voltage is the highest voltage that the protected circuit will be exposed to during the test waveform event. On most datasheets, the clamping voltage is given for a 1A or 2A waveform that has an 8µS rise time.
Peak Pulse Current (IPP): The peak pulse current is the maximum current the protection device can withstand.

Advantages
  • Fast acting
  • Simple to utilize
  • Readily available
  • Bidirectional or unidirectional
  • Calibrated low clamping voltage
  • Fails short-circuited

Disadvantages
  • High capacitance limits frequency
  • Low energy handling
  • More costly than Zener diodes, or MOVs


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